HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — Police in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, are cancelling an Independence Day weekend event over concerns about possible violence.

The second annual Helena Day was scheduled for July 5 at Helena River Park, has been cancelled by police over concerns of violence. The event was advertised as family-oriented, but police aren’t taking any chances.

“It was thought on for a while. We just thought it was in the best interest of public safety,” said Quanderius Sanders, Chief HWH Police Dept.

Chief Sanders says he’s concerned about possible violence associated with this sort of event and wants to make sure his department has the staff the maintain control of a large crowd.

“Most definitely, we’re taking last year, maybe 1,500 people, and right now, with what we’re working with, I feel like we couldn’t have contained it and keep the peace while giving the city the coverage it needs. Like I said, this is a busy weekend, it’s Independence weekend,” said Chief Sanders.

“I don’t know why they want to cancel Helena Day, but they need to uncancel it,” said Demarcus Dismue, a Helena-West Helena resident.

“It was real nice. A lot of people getting along, wasn’t nobody with the violence, everybody respected everybody and they had a whole lot of food, kids was around, there was no trouble at all,” said Dismue.

Chief Sanders is standing by his decision and is adamant that the cancellation has nothing to do with the arrest and firing of Mayor Christopher Franklin.

“Negative, that has no impact on my decision. Like I said, it’s all about the public safety and what’s in the best interest of this city,” said Chief Sanders.

WREG attempted to reach the organizer of Helena Day but were unable to find a contact number.